Tess Hansen
Yearbook Staff
Fifty-five.
The amount of practices and games a typical high school spring athlete has.
Ten.
That’s how many practices the spring athletes of Sandy High School got.
However, not just Sandy High School was affected. Worldwide, activities, sports, and people’s social lives have been put on hold, due to the coronavirus. Athletes who look forward to spring all year just to play tennis, compete in track, play golf, or whatever it may be, had to deal with the fact of having no practices, no bonding with teammates, and competing.
For some athletes, this would’ve been their first sport of the year, being something they had to look forward to. This sport may be your life, your one passion. It’s never an easy thing to find out that you can’t do the one thing you love.
“I’ve been waiting for softball season all year and everyone on our team has been practicing super hard to do well. We were all super excited and it’s disappointing that I won’t get to play my first year of high school softball,” freshman Eris Winchester said.
Not only does being in sports give you a break from school and academics, but it gives you a chance to relax and do what you enjoy. It gives you something to work for and set goals for yourself such as making a certain position or making a spot on a certain team.
“It would’ve been my first season playing a varsity sport and I was excited to compete,” sophomore Makayla Bogle said.
Many spring athletes don’t just play during the season, but work year round to prepare for these moments. Many have goals of being division, state, or even national champions. The NBA and NHL suspended the rest of their 2020 season and Major League Baseball is on hold. Even the professional and college football seasons in the fall are in jeopardy. Many other sports and recreational activities, both amateur and professional have been affected.
“My club soccer team was scheduled to go to regionals and we were all looking forward to it. It’s sad that we didn’t even get a chance to be recognized for all the hard work we’ve put in,” sophomore Chloe Cobos said.
While spring sports bring many people together and teach them how to play respectfully and put in complete efforts, it also creates friendships. Often, friends are introduced at a young age through school but also sports, creating a common interest.
“It’s definitely disappointing that I didn’t get a last softball season with my senior friends that I’ve grown up with,” junior Brooklyn Adams said.
This year was especially hard on the seniors, being their last chance to play with their team and ending their senior year on a cliffhanger. It was also hard on the underclassmen since they won’t have a chance to play with and learn from their senior teammates who make up a big portion of most varsity teams.
”It’s hard to know that I won’t be able to play with the seniors one last time especially because I feel like it would’ve been one of our best years for baseball. We always look forward to the Arizona trip and the playoffs and I think we would’ve had a chance to do well,” junior Andrew Kosderka said.
Although this COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s lives, the spring athletes have lost not only a season, but a chance for memories and hard work. It’s not easy for anyone, however we are all in this together and nobody is going through this alone. Many athletes have been continuing training to prepare for whatever comes their way. Whether they like it or not, it’s happening, and it’s real. All we can do is follow safety precautions and show that it’s possible. At this point, we just hope for the best.
The Pioneer Press 